A/N: I know I have another story up, but I was flipping through my old journals and I found this story. I started writing it a while ago, but I want to post it. It's not finished yet, but I have about one third of the story already written.

What Are We?

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Casey took a deep breath as the car pulled into the driveway of her former home. As she looked up at the brown house where it all began, she could feel the panic rise up. She was so nervous. She was sweating and she couldn't stop twisting her hands in her lap. Her left leg shook and she tried to control her breathing. Phil glanced over at her.

"Casey, calm down. It's just your family," he said shaking his head.

A strand of dark brown hair fell out of place across his forehead.

He parked the car, fixed his hair, and turned to Casey, "C'mon, sweetheart. I'm dying to meet your family."

Casey only nodded as he got out of the car and stretched. Casey took another deep breath and also got out of the car. She breathed in the smell of freshly cut lawns and straightened out her back. You can do this Case, she thought to herself. She walked around to the trunk, grabbed her bag, and walked up to the house that held so many memories for her; both wonderful and terrifying.

When Casey walked inside it was just as she remembered. She loved the smell of her old house; it was warm and inviting. It calmed her a bit, but not enough to wipe away her fears completely.

"Casey!" Her mother Nora exclaimed.

Casey burst into a smile; it had been a long time since she had seen her mom.

"Mom!" Casey ran and hugged her.

George was right behind Nora and Casey hugged him too.

"Casey, so glad to finally see you," George grinned.

"Casey!" A teenage girl yelled from the top of the stairs.

She had straight dark brown hair and bangs that reached just above her deep brown eyes. She ran to Casey.

"Marti, you've grown a lot since I last saw you," Casey gathered her up into a big hug.

"Casey, I have so much to tell you," she started jumping up and down.

Lizzie and Edwin came down behind her. They were both on break from grad school. They swallowed Casey into a big hug.

"Good to see you sis," Edwin told her.

"We missed you Case," Lizzie said as she unwrapped herself from the group hug.

"I missed you too," Casey replied.

"Um…where's Derek?" Casey tried to ask casually while avoiding the curious gazes her family was giving her.

"He hasn't arrived yet, sweetheart. He won't be here until tonight," her mother answered.

"Oh."

An awkward silence followed.

George cleared his throat, "So Casey, who's your friend?"

"Oh!" Casey exclaimed, realizing Phil was right behind her, "Everyone, this is my boyfriend Phil."

Phil greeted her family. Phil was taken into the family very well. Everyone found him agreeable, handsome, and very respectable. He seemed like a male version of Casey…he was perfect. There was not a single wrinkle in his khaki pants or in his crisp white polo. He had a winning smile and a firm handshake. He was so put together, and as Casey watched him with her family, she smiled. She had known Phil would get along with her family. Phil got along with everyone, everyone respectable that is. Phil never started arguments with her, he always complimented her, and he wasn't arrogant. Yes, Casey thought, he is just the kind of man I need.